The cold chain has seen significant expansion in recent years. With the industry’s growth, ensuring sustainability has become increasingly crucial, not just as an add-on but as a key point of the sector’s DNA.
“We don’t view sustainability as a change; it’s a testament to who we are as a company,” Radek Samsonowicz, Vice President of Sales for Containers at SkyCell, said. “If sustainability isn’t deeply embedded in your company’s DNA, you’re essentially playing catch-up.
“From the design of our products to our processes and the way we treat our solutions—whether hardware or software—sustainability is at the core of it all.”
This becomes particularly clear in one of the key challenges in the sector – the global trade imbalance in pharmaceuticals, particularly the enormous disparity between exports and imports between Western markets and Asia.
“The European Union and the United States export ten times more life-saving products to Asia than they import from there,” Samsonowicz explained. “ This situation has resulted in a huge number of containers and reusable packaging that need to be returned by air. This model creates enormous costs—hundreds of millions of dollars every year for pharma clients—and contributes to a massive CO2 footprint.
Applicable solution
SkyCell has taken steps to tackle this issue by focusing on reverse logistics. The company’s Net ZERO Reverse programme aims to reduce the carbon footprint and financial costs of air freight by exclusively utilising ocean freight to return containers.
“First, we looked at product design: Can we make the containers lighter? Can we optimise the use of space to reduce the number of containers needed? Second, we needed to address the significant problem of reverse logistics, which is where our Net ZERO Reverse program comes into play. This programme is designed to tackle this issue head-on, reducing both costs and emissions associated with airfreight.
“Switching to ocean freight reduces CO2 emissions by more than 99 percent compared to airfreight,” Samsonowicz stated. “Additionally, this solution eliminates the problem of extended lease days, cutting costs and improving efficiency.”
Partnering up for progress
The shift to ocean freight reflects a larger trend in the cold chain: moving away from siloed, individualistic approaches to more collaborative partnerships. SkyCell’s partnerships with airlines like Emirates and United have paved the way for this transformation. “By removing reverse logistics via air, airlines can open up new revenue streams,” he noted. “They recognise the benefits of reducing CO2 emissions and are keen to be part of this change. It’s a win-win for everyone involved.”
The industry has long awaited solutions like SkyCell’s, which offer immediate, actionable steps to reduce emissions today rather than waiting for future technologies like hydrogen or sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to become widespread.
“We can’t afford to wait 10 or 20 years,” said Samsonowicz. “The biggest levers right in front of us are cost savings and reducing product loss. Our hardware and software solutions help eliminate these issues, leading to significant CO2 reductions and cost savings today.
“Since launching this programme in the US two weeks ago, the conversations we’ve had with pharma shippers, forwarders, and airlines have been amazing.
“It’s clear that the industry has been waiting for this kind of solution. We’re proud that SkyCell is leading the way, pushing innovation, and taking a brave, ambitious approach to change the market. It’s an exciting time, and we’re thrilled about what comes next.”
Scalable solution
With a successful launch in the US, Samsonowicz is optimistic about the global scalability of the solution. “Our Net ZERO Reverse program is ready to be implemented immediately in markets. We don’t have to wait; the solution is available now,” he explained.
“From today, we can tackle trade imbalances in regions like Europe and the US to China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and the Middle East—markets that consume a significant amount of life-saving medicines but don’t export much in return.
“We’ve made the leap and invested heavily in the fleet required to manage this activity, particularly in terms of handling reverse logistics by ocean freight. This is a significant step forward, and we’re proud to be leading the way in this area.”
Freight forwarders are seeing the value of this solution. By streamlining operations and improving communication, they are able to offer cleaner, more efficient services to their pharmaceutical clients, resulting in a more effective and sustainable supply chain overall.
“SkyCell’s initiative represents a win-win-win scenario for airlines, pharma clients, and freight forwarders alike,” Samsonowicz declared. “As for competitors, the response is still uncertain. This is a relatively new concept, and while others may follow suit, the significant capital investment required to implement such a solution presents a barrier. Not all companies will have the resources to take on this challenge, making SkyCell’s early investment a bold and forward-thinking move.”
